Nepal U-19 women’s team on Monday thumped Bhutan U-19 by four wickets in the ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers but their World Cup hopes still hang in balance.

Captain Kritika Marasini, Manisha Upadhyay and Anu Kadayat took two wickets each to restrict Bhutan at 66-9 in 20 overs after Nepal were sent to bowl first.

Sanu Rajbanshi smashed 30 runs off 32 deliveries as Nepal raced to the target losing six wickets in 13.1 overs to pull off their second win in three matches.

Nepal lie in the third position in the six-team standings with four points and still have a slim chance to pip second-placed Thailand and leaders the United Arab Emirates to the top and next year’s finals in South Africa. The UAE and Thailand both have six points from equal three matches.

But Nepal will need a miracle to realise their World Cup dreams with two matches left as both the UAE and Thailand are still unbeaten and have maintained a strong net run-rate.

Not only Nepal cannot afford to lose another match but they will also need to defeat Thailand with a huge difference and hope favourites UAE also lose by a big margin, which seems unlikely especially after their bid was dealt a hammer blow in a 10-wicket loss against the UAE on Saturday.

Marasini’s side will take on Thailand on Tuesday before ending their qualifier campaign against hosts Malaysia. The UAE meet Qatar on Tuesday before locking horns against Thailand in what could be a decisive match on Thursday.

In the field at Kinrara Oval in Kuala Lumpur, Nepal’s top order collapsed again after opener Sneha Mahara was out for a duck and her partner Kiran Kunwar for just two runs.

But Rajbanshi, coming to bat at number four, anchored Nepal's innings hitting five boundaries in her 32-ball knock and stayed unbeaten as all the following batters fell cheaply.

Sana Praveen was the only other batter to reach double-digit figures contributing 12 of 15 balls before Sangay Wangmo had her caught by Sangay Zangmo in the seventh over.

Wangmo was the pick of Bhutal bowling returning a match figure of 3-22 that also included prized scalps of Nepal captain Marasini (2) and Shristi Jaisi (8).

Earlier, Nepal’s Upadhyay wrecked the Bhutan top order removing openers skipper Ngawang Choden and Sonam for five and 11, respectively. Upadhyay also ran out Eva Somsel Yangzom (7).

Marasini bowled number three batter Chado Om (6).

Wangmo tried to haul Bhutan back into the game scoring 11 off 23 balls but she was caught and bowled by Kadayat, who also ran out Pema Yangchen (9) and trapped Anjuli Ghalley in front as the Bhutanese could only manage a low total.

Sneha Mehara also picked a wicket for Nepal.

Malaysia are fourth with two points. Qatar and Bhutan are winless.